Catch a wave at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Think we're kidding? We're not.This gargantuan hotel that gleams of gold at the southernmost tip of the Las Vegas Strip is home to Mandalay Beach. It's an 11-acre aquatic paradise smack dab in the middle of the desert. In addition to three large pools, a lazy river (with a current that runs at 3 mph) and 2,700 tons of white sand, there's a 1.6-million-gallon wave pool where the surf's always up. So you can grab a bodyboard and, as we said, catch a wave at one of Vegas' most popular hotel pools.Around Mandalay Beach, you'll discover some adult-oriented fun. The three-story Beachside Casino is positioned, like its names suggests, beachside. Concerts are held on a huge outdoor stage above the wave pool. And then there's Moorea Beach Club. Its sexy setting makes you feel like you're on a French Polynesian island, and this dayclub allows topless sunbathing (so men, behave yourselves). Plus, there are "opium beds" and tricked-out villas for lounging around, as well as an infinity-edge hot tub that can fit a crowd.Also embracing the ocean vibe is Shark Reef Aquarium. Now this isn't your typical aquarium. It's filled with 15 different species of sharks and other marine predators. Imagine "Sharknado," except in here the sharks are swimming safely inside their tanks instead of flying through the air and raining down around you.You can always dive into a tidal wave of fun at Mandalay Bay because there's just so much to do. Concerts and major sporting matchups are regularly featured in the Mandalay Bay Events Center. And when it comes to entertainment, "Michael Jackson ONE," created by Cirque du Soleil, is a tribute to the King of Pop that fans will cherish and even non-fans will get swept up in. Combining original master recordings with high-flying acrobatics and eye-popping props, Jackson's life and music are presented onstage in a truly inspirational way. (A sequined glove will never seem the same to you after you've seen this show.)When it comes to music, you can rock out in several places at Mandalay Bay -- such as the House of Blues and the Foundation Room, which sits atop the resort on the 63rd floor and has a view of the Strip you're sure to recognize...because it's printed on all of the postcards in the gift shop.Over at Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar, you'll not only enjoy listening to good music, but thanks to the interactive touch tables you'll be able to send songs to the DJ. (These touch tables do other cool things, but they're too high-tech to explain here.)And if you want to party, well, Light Nightclub truly shines. It's another ridiculously amazing creation from Cirque du Soleil. You'll find the usual awesome club stuff in it -- big screens, a state-of-the-art sound system and dazzling lighting, but there are also special areas set up for performers to show off. So, while you're dancing, keep an eye out for the odd acrobat or contortionist overhead. By the way, manning the turntables at Light is a roster of superstar DJs including Alesso, Baauer, Nicky Romero and Skrillex -- more proof of just how brilliant this place is.If you get hungry, watch out. Waves of wonderful restaurants are ready to wash over you, one after the next, at Mandalay Bay. Seriously, there are more eateries than you can count on your hands and feet and...you get the picture. They offer everything from gourmet dining to quick munchies.One of the standouts is chef Charlie Palmer's Aureole, which features a spectacular four-story wine tower attended to by "wine angels." Dressed in sexy black jumpsuits, they fly around on a high-tech suspension system fetching bottles. (You probably have to see them to understand this.)Savor exquisite creations at Fleur by Hubert Keller and Stripsteak, where chef Michael Mina uses only sustainable foods like all-natural meat and line-caught seafood. Thought Russian cuisine was all borscht and pickles? Red Square will prove you wrong. Eat a laid-back meal al fresco at Border Grill, which serves Mexican dishes with a modern twist by chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. Or grab a fast bite at the Bayside Buffet, Citizens Kitchen and Bar, Mizuya, The Noodle Shop and Raffles Café.Wait...there's still more. We haven't told you about The Shoppes at Mandalay Place yet. As if Mandalay Bay didn't have enough to offer already, a skybridge was built between it and Luxor adding 40 more fabulous stores, restaurants and bars.Behind a hidden door near the escalator to this retail complex, you'll uncover 1923 Bourbon & Burlesque -- perfect for an illicit night of drinking and debauchery. Rick Moonen's RM Seafood and steampunk-inspired RX Boiler Room are also here. If you're a pizza, burger or nacho lover, you'll hit upon heaven at Slice of Vegas, Burger Bar and Hussong's Cantina. Besides these, there's Rí Rá Las Vegas, an authentic Irish pub (get this, almost everything inside it -- including the 500-pound statue of St. Patrick -- came directly from Ireland), and Minus5° Ice Bar, where you can say goodbye to your summer sweat stains in a room made completely of ice.Rounding out Mandalay Bay's wealth of amenities are Spa Mandalay, a large casino and sports book...actually, forget it. There are so many things at Mandalay Bay still to mention (including Delano Las Vegas, another entire hotel) this description will never end.Suffice to say, you could stay at Mandalay Bay for a week -- without ever setting foot off the property -- and every day will be filled with new experiences from sea to shining façade (okay, that's a bit corny).

The room was good looking, but there were some issues. There was this strange noise coming from the ventilation. It was loud enough to keep us up at night. We had to turn on the fan to drown out the weird scraping noise so we could sleep. Also, there was no hot water one of the days we were there. Very inconvenient. Next time I go to Vegas, I'm staying in another hotel.

Catch a wave at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Think we're kidding? We're not.This gargantuan hotel that gleams of gold at the southernmost tip of the Las Vegas Strip is home to Mandalay Beach. It's an 11-acre aquatic paradise smack dab in the middle of the desert. In addition to three large pools, a lazy river (with a current that runs at 3 mph) and 2,700 tons of white sand, there's a 1.6-million-gallon wave pool where the surf's always up. So you can grab a bodyboard and, as we said, catch a wave at one of Vegas' most popular hotel pools.Around Mandalay Beach, you'll discover some adult-oriented fun. The three-story Beachside Casino is positioned, like its names suggests, beachside. Concerts are held on a huge outdoor stage above the wave pool. And then there's Moorea Beach Club. Its sexy setting makes you feel like you're on a French Polynesian island, and this dayclub allows topless sunbathing (so men, behave yourselves). Plus, there are "opium beds" and tricked-out villas for lounging around, as well as an infinity-edge hot tub that can fit a crowd.Also embracing the ocean vibe is Shark Reef Aquarium. Now this isn't your typical aquarium. It's filled with 15 different species of sharks and other marine predators. Imagine "Sharknado," except in here the sharks are swimming safely inside their tanks instead of flying through the air and raining down around you.You can always dive into a tidal wave of fun at Mandalay Bay because there's just so much to do. Concerts and major sporting matchups are regularly featured in the Mandalay Bay Events Center. And when it comes to entertainment, "Michael Jackson ONE," created by Cirque du Soleil, is a tribute to the King of Pop that fans will cherish and even non-fans will get swept up in. Combining original master recordings with high-flying acrobatics and eye-popping props, Jackson's life and music are presented onstage in a truly inspirational way. (A sequined glove will never seem the same to you after you've seen this show.)When it comes to music, you can rock out in several places at Mandalay Bay -- such as the House of Blues and the Foundation Room, which sits atop the resort on the 63rd floor and has a view of the Strip you're sure to recognize...because it's printed on all of the postcards in the gift shop.Over at Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar, you'll not only enjoy listening to good music, but thanks to the interactive touch tables you'll be able to send songs to the DJ. (These touch tables do other cool things, but they're too high-tech to explain here.)And if you want to party, well, Light Nightclub truly shines. It's another ridiculously amazing creation from Cirque du Soleil. You'll find the usual awesome club stuff in it -- big screens, a state-of-the-art sound system and dazzling lighting, but there are also special areas set up for performers to show off. So, while you're dancing, keep an eye out for the odd acrobat or contortionist overhead. By the way, manning the turntables at Light is a roster of superstar DJs including Alesso, Baauer, Nicky Romero and Skrillex -- more proof of just how brilliant this place is.If you get hungry, watch out. Waves of wonderful restaurants are ready to wash over you, one after the next, at Mandalay Bay. Seriously, there are more eateries than you can count on your hands and feet and...you get the picture. They offer everything from gourmet dining to quick munchies.One of the standouts is chef Charlie Palmer's Aureole, which features a spectacular four-story wine tower attended to by "wine angels." Dressed in sexy black jumpsuits, they fly around on a high-tech suspension system fetching bottles. (You probably have to see them to understand this.)Savor exquisite creations at Fleur by Hubert Keller and Stripsteak, where chef Michael Mina uses only sustainable foods like all-natural meat and line-caught seafood. Thought Russian cuisine was all borscht and pickles? Red Square will prove you wrong. Eat a laid-back meal al fresco at Border Grill, which serves Mexican dishes with a modern twist by chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. Or grab a fast bite at the Bayside Buffet, Citizens Kitchen and Bar, Mizuya, The Noodle Shop and Raffles Café.Wait...there's still more. We haven't told you about The Shoppes at Mandalay Place yet. As if Mandalay Bay didn't have enough to offer already, a skybridge was built between it and Luxor adding 40 more fabulous stores, restaurants and bars.Behind a hidden door near the escalator to this retail complex, you'll uncover 1923 Bourbon & Burlesque -- perfect for an illicit night of drinking and debauchery. Rick Moonen's RM Seafood and steampunk-inspired RX Boiler Room are also here. If you're a pizza, burger or nacho lover, you'll hit upon heaven at Slice of Vegas, Burger Bar and Hussong's Cantina. Besides these, there's Rí Rá Las Vegas, an authentic Irish pub (get this, almost everything inside it -- including the 500-pound statue of St. Patrick -- came directly from Ireland), and Minus5° Ice Bar, where you can say goodbye to your summer sweat stains in a room made completely of ice.Rounding out Mandalay Bay's wealth of amenities are Spa Mandalay, a large casino and sports book...actually, forget it. There are so many things at Mandalay Bay still to mention (including Delano Las Vegas, another entire hotel) this description will never end.Suffice to say, you could stay at Mandalay Bay for a week -- without ever setting foot off the property -- and every day will be filled with new experiences from sea to shining façade (okay, that's a bit corny).

What are all of the fees associated with the hotel stay?

I understand there is a $25 resort fee per night. Are there any other fees that we should know about (snacks in room, minibar etc)?

The mini bar has a weight system that is installed. If any of the products are bumped or removed, it will automatically charge your room for that product. I accidentally bumped some of the alcohol provided with one of my bags, and they charged my room. However, they are usually pretty good about removing the fees if you did not actually use the product.